Hero

I received the greatest compliment of my life yesterday. Seriously! I was driving Brooke to violin lessons when she asked me a question.

Brooke: Dad, who is your hero?
Me: After a pause, "Jesus."
Brooke: I knew you'd say that so that isn't an option. You have to pick someone else.
Me: I don't know. I'd need to think about it.
Brooke: I know who my hero is.
Me: Who?
Brooke: I'm looking at him.

Who knows, maybe she was trying to butter me up for something. If so, I guess it worked. Still, though, nothing would make me more proud than to remain the hero in my daughter's eyes. As a parent, I pray that God will help me to be the kind of father I need to be... to set a good example, to love unconditionally, to share wisdom, to walk with my Savior and reflect Jesus in my life. I'm also grateful that God has given me a burden for family ministry. May God speak His truth through me to help other families I come in contact with. I'm a proud daddy today and I'm humbled at the same time.

Holly just told Ella to stop whining and complaining. Her response? "Don't you judge me." Really?

Ella: Mary had a little man, little man, little man.......

In a Box

Actual conversation in my car. 
Brooke: I wish we would have left Ella in a box that said free. 
Ella: I won't fit in a box.

We are sitting in an elegant ballroom at the famous Arlington Hotel which is dimly lit and impressively decorated for the fancy wedding we attended. The first part of the meal has just been delivered: salad. We put ranch dressing on Ella's salad and she begins experimenting with the items on her plate and doesn't seem impressed with anything other than croutons. A few moments go by when she exclaims loudly and with pure shock, "There is a leaf in it!!!" Yes, Ella, that's what salad is... leaves. LOL!

Mother's Day

Brooke was so sweet this morning. While Holly and I were in bed, she decided to make breakfast for everyone. She poured Holly a diet coke, made toast for everyone, put strawberry jam or Apple butter on each, and cut shapes into each piece. A heart for Holly, diamond for Ella, and a smiley face for me. So proud of this girls nurturing, generous spirit!

Whobody?

Ella came up with a new word while on our Disney cruise: whobody! It is used in a sentence like this, "Whobody did that?" Or, "Whobody went outside?" I like it!

Prayers of a 2-Year-Old

Never know what you'll hear during a 2 year old's prayer time. We prayed for bubbles, tractors, pillows, puppy dogs, the color blue, ducks, toes, abcs's, 1234's, kitty cats, and so many other things I've already forgotten them!

Ella, Say "Yes Sir"

After getting on to Ella when she did something wrong:
Me: Ella, we don't do that. Do you understand?
Ella: .....
Me: Say "Yes sir"
Ella: Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.....

Tired Ears

On our way to Texarkana today, Brooke had been talking for 45 minutes straight!
Me: My ears are getting a little tired.
Brooke: Well, the problem is that I never get tired of talking.